09 January 2005

We give the assurance of our thoughts and prayers to all who are unwell, awaiting or undergoing treatment, or anxious or grieving for the loss of loved ones.

Tsunami Disaster

Our attention is drawn to the following means of immediate support to those suffering and those striving to bring relief, following the Boxing Day earthquake near Sumatra and subsequent widespread devastation in coastal areas of south-east Asia, India and East Africa. MRDF Appeal – retiring collection today: cheques may be made payable to either “Dundee Methodist Church” or “Methodist Relief & Development Fund”. Gift Aid forms are available beside the plate.

Creche

It is a matter of concern that we need to have a crèche rota. Please would you kindly consider going on the rota once in every 6 weeks. As you are aware, we need 2 people for each meeting of the crèche. Please contact Elaine if you are available to help.

Coffee Rota

Will any new volunteers willing to have their names added to this rota, please see the Senior Church Steward, Paddy, as soon as possible – thank you!

Property Items

Please note the following

• the photocopier in the upstairs office is still out of use and will be until an ordered replacement part arrives – contact Jenny or David for updates
• redecoration of the premises will take place in January, probably towards the middle or end of the month.

Scottish Churches House, Dunblane

The House Warden, Alistair Hulbert, and the staff appeal to the churches - individuals and groups - to “embrace the fact that Scottish Churches House belongs to you”. A warm invitation is given to everyone to use the House for their own events and/or to join in the House Programme. The 2005 Programme includes

• Dunblane Conversations on Spirituality and the Arts
• Occasional seminars on the Ecumenical Movement
• Scotland – The Vision Thing (series continued)
• Workshops on Fairy Tales, Poetry,
• Walking days
• Senior Citizens Breaks

Details from Scottish Churches House tel: 01786 823588; www.scottishchurcheshouse.org

Meetings this week

Support other Organisations

“MRDF Asia Earthquake Appeal”

Donations (marked “Asian Earthquake Fund”) will be sent by MRDF to the local relief agencies who need it most. MRDF is, as usual, working closely with ACT (Action by Churches Together) to ensure that donations go quickly and effectively to the suffering. Partners include The National Council of Churches in Sri Lanka (NCCSL); in India, Church’s Auxiliary for Social Action (CASA); in Indonesia, Yayasan Tanggul Bankana (YTB), Yakkum Emergency Unit / Cd Bethesda (YEU), and Church World Service (CWS).

Amnesty International – Global Letter-writing Campaign 2004

Between 1st November and 31st January, Amnesty International UK asks supporters to send cards with messages of hope and solidarity to victims of human rights violations and those who defend them. Details of person or bodies to whom cards may be sent, plus guidelines for doing so, are available on the papers on the Vestibule table.

Make Poverty History

“MPH” is a programme supported by over 70 groups, including faith communities, to seek to take advantage of many events in 2005 to “make a difference for the millions living in poverty in our world”.

A “Church Launch” will be held on Saturday 29th January from 11 am to 4 pm in Bloomsbury Baptist Church, 235 Shaftesbury Avenue, London,(Forthcoming events

• 02 January 2005
• 16 January 2005

© 2002—2003 Dundee Methodist Church.